I've been a picker since I was about 8 years old. I think I've always been prone to anxiety, and for me, picking calms me better than anything else. Whenever I get anxious or upset, I get a very strong urge to pick. I usually spend an hour or more every night after I go to bed but before I can sleep, picking.

In my case I always pick at sores or blemishes on my arms or hands. Now both of my hands and much of my forearms are spotted with scars. I'll start by worrying at a tiny pimple or ingrown hair or whatever, and eventually open it up into a little crater in the skin. For some reason I really like the crater, and the feel of pushing the pads of my fingers into it... I know it sounds gross. And I, too, tend to "eat" the skin that I pick off. And I like licking at the blood or plasma that comes out.

It's an embarrassing habit to have, for sure. I always hated having to explain to friends, acquaintances and even strangers as to why I have an open wound on my hand or arm. I managed to stop for several years in high school but started again in college. It's a bad habit that I can't seem to shake.

And just FYI for ChaoticInsanity, this forum is designated for dermatillomania as well as OCD and trichotillomania. So newday7121 posted in the right place. It's not quite the same thing as self-injury, to my mind... It's more of a coping mechanism. Although some have argued that it's more akin to a substance abuse disorder, strangely enough!